# Job 32 đ: Elihu Begins to Speak
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[[-Job Overview]] | [[Job 31]] | [[Job 33]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đ Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#đ§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#âď¸ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#đ Key Principles / đ Life Application]]
> [[#đŹ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#âď¸ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đ Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#đ Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đ Internal Notes]]
## đ Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
# **V. The Speeches of Elihu ([32:1-37:24](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job.32.1-Job.37.24&version=NET))**
## Elihuâs First Speech
[[#Verse 01.]] So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes.Â
[[#Verse 02.]] Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.
[[#Verse 03.]] With Jobâs three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty.Â
[[#Verse 04.]] Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was.Â
[[#Verse 05.]] But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry.
[[#Verse 06.]] So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: âI am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful and afraid to explain to you what I know.
## Elihu Claims Wisdom
[[#Verse 06.]]' So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: âI am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know.
[[#Verse 07.]] I said to myself, âAge should speak,
and length of years should make wisdom known.â
[[#Verse 08.]]Â But it is a spirit in people,
the breath of the Almighty,
that makes them understand.
[[#Verse 09.]] It is not the aged who are wise,
nor old men who understand what is right.
[[#Verse 10.]] Therefore I say, âListen to me.
I, even I, will explain what I know.â
[[#Verse 11.]]Â Look, I waited for you to speak;
I listened closely to your wise thoughts, while you were searching for words.
[[#Verse 12.]]Â Now I was paying you close attention,
yet there was no one proving Job wrong,
not one of you was answering his statements.
[[#Verse 13.]] So do not say, âWe have found wisdom.
God will refute him, not man.â
[[#Verse 14.]] Job has not directed his words to me,
and so I will not reply to him with your arguments.
## Jobâs Friends Failed to Answer
[[#Verse 15.]] âThey are dismayed and cannot answer anymore;
they have nothing left to say.
[[#Verse 16.]] And I have waited. But because they do not speak,
because they stand there and answer no more,
[[#Verse 17.]]Â I too will answer my part,
I too will explain what I know.
[[#Verse 18.]]Â For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me constrains me.
[[#Verse 19.]]Â Inside I am like wine that has no outlet,
like new wineskins ready to burst!
[[#Verse 20.]] I will speak, so that I may find relief;
I will open my lips, so that I may answer.
[[#Verse 21.]]Â I will not show partiality to any person,
nor will I confer a title on anyone.
[[#Verse 22.]]Â For I do not know how to give honorary titles,
if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.
## đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
## đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Elihu is not mentioned in the prologue (1-2) or the epilogue (42), yet he speaks for six chapters (32-37).
2. The name Elihu means "He is my God."
3. His father's name, Barakel, means "God blesses" (32:2).
4. Elihu is a Buzite. Buz was a son of Nahor, Abraham's brother (Genesis 22:20-21).
5. Elihu's anger is mentioned four times in 32:2-5.
6. Verses 1-5 are prose, and Elihu's speech then shifts into poetry.
7. Respect for elders was expected in the ancient world (Leviticus 19:32), which is why Elihu waited to speak.
8. Elihu compares himself to new wineskins about to burst (32:19). Jesus also used wineskins in His teaching (Matthew 9:17).
9. The three friends stop speaking because Job is righteous in his own eyes (32:1).
10. God rebukes the three friends in 42:7 but does not mention Elihu, and interpreters debate whether Elihu is wise or overconfident.
## đ§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## âď¸ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One who sends the Spirit of understanding. Elihu said that true understanding comes from the breath of the Almighty (32:8), and Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide His followers into all truth (John 16:13).
## đ Key Principles / đ Life Application
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đŹ Discussion Questions
1. Elihu waited to speak because he was younger (32:4-7). What can we learn from his patience and his respect for those older than him?
2. Elihu says understanding comes from the Spirit of God, not simply from age (32:8-9). How can younger and older believers learn from each other?
3. Elihu says he will not flatter anyone (32:21-22). Why is flattery so harmful in relationships and in the church?
## âď¸ Key Verses to Remember
- đ verses 2-3: Elihu is angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God, and with the friends for condemning Job without an answer.
- đ verse 8: It is the Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding.
- đ verses 21-22: Elihu will not show partiality or flatter anyone.
## đ Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đ [[John 16#Verse 13.|John 16:13]] - The Spirit will guide you into all truth.
- đ [[1 Corinthians 02#Verse 12.|1 Corinthians 2:12-13]] - We have received the Spirit to understand what God has given.
- đ [[1 Timothy 04#Verse 12.|1 Timothy 4:12]] - Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young.
- đ [[James 01#Verse 19.|James 1:19]] - Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
- đ [[Proverbs 29#Verse 05.|Proverbs 29:5]] - A flatterer spreads a net for his neighbor.
## đ Devotional Reflection
đ SOAP: [[Job 32 - SOAP|Donât Be Moved From Truth]]
## đ Internal Notes